Breaking down the Sam Smith Oscars drama

It's no secret that British singer Sam Smith caused quite a stir at Sunday's Oscars, even if he had no intention of ruffling any feathers.

The controversy began when Common and John Legend read out his and collaborator Jimmy Napes' names as the winners of Best Original Song, upsetting heavy favorites Lady Gaga and Diane Warren. The "Writing's On The Wall" (from the latest James Bond film "Spectre") writers took the stage at the 88th annual Academy Awards to paltry applause from a shocked audience.

Lady Gaga had just brought the entire Dolby Theatre to tears with a stirring, emotional performance of "Til It Happens To You," the song she wrote with Warren for "The Hunting Ground," a documentary that explores sexual assault on college campuses. The performance featured dozens of sexual assault survivors.

So it's safe to say that Smith's win wasn't exactly a welcomed surprise. Especially for a song that was, really, not that well received by critics. Let's just say "Writing's On The Wall" is no "Skyfall."

"I read an article a few months ago, by Sir Ian McKellen," Smith said in his acceptance speech. "He said no openly gay man had ever won an Oscar, and if this is the case -- and even if it isn't the case -- I want to dedicate this to the LGBT community all around the world."

Smith's claim of being the first openly gay male to win an Oscar was, by all accounts, wrong. Before 2016, there had been a handful of openly gay male Oscar winners: Elton John, Stephen Sondheim and Dustin Lance Black had all won Academy Awards as openly gay men.

Black, who won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar eight years ago for "Milk," took particular offense to Smith's claims.

"Hey @SamSmithWorld, if you have no idea who I am, it may be time to stop texting my fiancé," Black wrote on Twitter, alluding to his Olympic diver fiancé, Tom Daly. He also included a link to his 2008 acceptance speech on YouTube.

Once Black's tweet was sent early Monday morning, it quickly went viral, prompting immediate backlash to Smith's claims and advocacy for the LGBT community. Many wondered how such a prominent pop culture figure could claim to represent a community whose history he knows so little about.

Then, the backlash continued.

In an excerpt released by the Associated Press, Smith was quoted as saying that he "should date" Howard Ashman, the first openly gay man to win the Oscar for Best Original Song. As AP notes, Ashman died of HIV complications in 1991.

"I should know him. We should date," Smith was quoted as saying.

Again, more backlash online. All of which happened as Smith had remained silent. That soon changed.

"So hungover," Smith said in his first tweet since the controversy. "Genuinely feels like a dream."

He followed up the seemingly trivial complaint by directly addressing the scandal he had caused.

"Second openly gay man to win an oscar or third or fourth or 100th, It wasn't my point," he explained. "My point was to shine some light on the LGBT community who I love so dearly. Apologies for the mix up @DLanceBlack I'll be sure to check out your films now x Belated Congrats on the Oscar x"

Many on Twitter took the half-hearted apology with a grain of salt, noting that they weren't sure if Smith truly grasped or understood the damage and offense he had caused. He didn't even address the Ashman comments.

Though Smith should be commended for apologizing (albeit somewhat meekly), it hard not to think that the damage had already been done.

More updates will be added here as the saga continues.

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Breaking down the Sam Smith Oscars drama

Host Chris Rock speaks at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Brie Larson, from left, Cate Blanchett, and Kate Winslet appear in the audience at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Emily Blunt, left, and Charlize Theron present the award for best original screenplay at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Christian Bale, left, congratulates Adam McKay as he walks on stage to accept the award for best adapted screenplay for âThe Big Shortâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Sarah Silverman speaks at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: David White (L) and Mark A. Mangini win the Best Sound Editing award for 'Mad Max: Fury Road' onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

THE OSCARS(r) - THEATRE - The 88th Oscars, held on Sunday, February 28, at the Dolby Theatre(r) at Hollywood & Highland Center(r) in Hollywood, are televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST. (Photo by Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty Images)
CATE BLANCHETT

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Mark A. Mangini (L) and David White accept the Best Sound Editing award for 'Mad Max: Fury Road' onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Chadwick Boseman, left, and Chris Evans present the award for best sound editing at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Priyanka Chopra, left, and Liev Schreiber present the award for best film editing at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Rachel McAdams, left, and Michael B. Jordan present the award for best cinematography at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Elka Wardega, from left, Lesley Vanderwalt, and Damian Martin accept the award for best makeup and hairstyling for âMad Max: Fury Roadâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Alicia Vikander accepts the award for best actress in a supporting role for âThe Danish Girlâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Tina Fey, left, and Steve Carell present the award for best production design at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Cate Blanchett presents the award for best costume design at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

J.K. Simmons, right, presents Alicia Vikander with the award for best actress in a supporting role for âThe Danish Girlâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Maria Fahl Vikander, left, congratulates Alicia Vikander after she won the award for best actress in a supporting role for âThe Danish Girlâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Kerry Washington, left, and Henry Cavill speak at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Charlize Theron, left, and Cate Blanchett appear in the audience at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Jason Segel, left, and Olivia Munn speak at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Droid characters from "Star Wars", BB-8, from left, R2-D2, and C-3PO speak at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Maria Fahl Vikander, from left, Harvey Weinstein, and Lady Gaga appear in the audience at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Margot Robbie, left, and Jared Leto present the award for best makeup and hairstyling at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Jenny Beavan accepts the award for best costume design for âMad Max: Fury Roadâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Musicians Verdine White (L) and Philip Bailey (R) of Earth, Wind & Fire and Beck attend the 24th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 28, 2016 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for EJAF)

Louis C.K., left, presents Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy with the award for best documentary short for âA Girl in the River: The Price of Forgivenessâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Steven Spielberg, left, congratulates Mark Rylance after he won the award for best actor in a supporting role for âBridge of Spiesâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The Weeknd performs his nominated song "Earned It" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs speaks onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Children participate in a skit at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Mark Rylance accepts the award for best actor in a supporting role for âBridge of Spiesâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)